acquit

 
Pronunciation: /əˈkwɪt/

verb (acquits, acquitting, acquitted)

  • 1 [with object] free (someone) from a criminal charge by a verdict of not guilty: she was acquitted on all counts the jury acquitted Bream of murder
  • 2 (acquit oneself) conduct oneself or perform in a specified way: the goalkeeper acquitted himself well
  • (acquit oneself of) archaic discharge (a duty or responsibility): they acquitted themselves of their charge with vigilance

Origin:

Middle English (originally in the sense 'pay a debt, discharge a liability'): from Old French acquiter, from medieval Latin acquitare 'pay a debt', from ad- 'to' + quitare 'set free'